Bucket reinforcement structure

ABSTRACT

A bucket for use with a loader vehicle includes a pair of spaced reinforcement means fixed to the bottom wall portion of the bucket. Each reinforcement means defines a box section which runs transversely of the cutting edge of the bucket, including a pair of ribs which run continuously rearward from the cutting edge along the bottom wall portion and up the rear wall portion of the bucket. The ribs define first and second pairs of apertures for attaching the bucket to a loader linkage.

i United States Patent 1191 Oke et al. Dec. 10, 1974 [54] BUCKET REINFORCEMENT STRUCTURE 3,523,621 8/1970 Anderson 37/118 R r 0 12 11 [75] Inventors: Stanley A. E. Oke, Sugar Grove; 5656 unger 214/145 Robert F. Sh nk t Os b th of L a wego 0 Primary Examiner-Robert G. Sheridan Assistant Examiner-John Mannix [73] Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co., Peoria, Ill. Attorney, A o Firm-Phillips, Moore,

S p 1 Weissenberger & Strabala 21 A LN 287671 1 pp [57 ABSTRACT A bucket for use with a loader vehicle includes a pair (gl. 2l4/l45,(')7 of Spaced reinforcement means fixed to the bottom [58] Field of Search n 21 4/145, 146; 37/l18, 141 R; wall portlon of the bucket Each remforcement nieans 294/70. 198/152 defines a box sectlon which runs transversely of the cuttmg edge of the bucket, including a pair of ribs which run continuously rearward from the cutting [56] References Clted edge along the bottom wall portion and up the rear UNITED STATES PATENTS wall portion of the bucket. The ribs define first and 2,597,374 5/1952 Richey 214/145 second pairs of apertures for attaching the bucket to a 2,722,065 11/1955 Smith 37/141 R 10ader1inkage 3,056,219 10/1962 Jeffrey 214/145 3,243,906 4/1966 Washbond 214/145 11 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PAIENT g mac 1 o 1974 SHEEI 2 BF 2 BUCKET REINFORCEMENT STRUCTURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to bucket construction, and more particularly, to box section reinforcement means in cooperation with such a bucket.

In general, a loader bucket construction commonly has the bucket shell (Le, a bottom wall portion, a rear wall portion, and end walls), serving as both a load retaining receptacle and a structural support member. Although this construction has proven satisfactory for relatively small loaders, numerous structural failures have occured with this type bucket on the larger, higher horsepower loaders. In such cases, the width of the loader bucket has been increased to match the width of the loader, and when all the loading force is concentrated at the mid-portion of the cutting edge, deflections therein of 2 to 3 inches have been measured. Deflections of this magnitude overstress the weld joints at the points where the cutting edge is welded to the end walls or comer castings, often resulting in failure at these points. This problem is aggravated by the addition of bucket teeth which increase the chances of concentrating the load in one area.

While buckets which incorporate reinforcement structures are known, (see, for example, US. Pat. No. 2,786,591 to Neumeister US Pat. No. 2,929,521 to Beyerstedt, US. Pat. No. 2,959,306 to Kampert, US. Pat. No. 3,093,917 to Schroeder, US. Pat. No. 3,148,792 to Granryd et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,182,832 to Bodin, US Pat. No. 3,349,934 to Moyer et al (assigned to the assignee of this application), and US. Pat. No. 3,398,472, to Leijon), none of these devices provides the extremely rigid construction of a reinforcement means transverse of the cutting edge and associated with that cutting edge. With such a construction, rigidity and strength of the bucket may be increased (in relation to these known prior art devices), meanwhile maintaining an extreme simplicity and economy of design.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a reinforcement construction for a bucket which is extremely rigid and provides proper reinforcement of the bucket in the areas where needed.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a reinforcement construction for a bucket which, while fulfilling the above object, is simple and economical in design and manufacture.

Broadly stated, the invention is in a bucket construction, having a bottom wall portion, a rear wall portion extending therefrom, a pair of end wall portions between which the rear wall and bottom wall portions extend, and a cutting edge fixed to and running along the forward edge of the bottom wall portion. Such invention comprises reinforcement means, comprising first and second rib members spaced apart and fixed externally to the bottom wall portion and running continuously from the cutting edge, and fixed relative thereto, to the rear of the bottom wall portion. A plate is fixed to the extending edges of the first and second rib members, and runs therealong, the rib members and plate together forming a box section running transversely of the cutting edge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification and drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of abucket incorporating the inventive reinforcement structure;

FIG. 2 is a view taken along the line IIII of FIG. I and partially broken away; and,

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line IIIIII of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Shown generally in FIGS. 1 and 2 is the inventive bucket construction 10. Such bucket 10 has a bottom wall portion 12, a rear wall portion 14 adjoining the bottom wall portion 12, and end wall portions l6, 18 between which the bottom wall and rear wall portions 12, 14 extend, endv wall portions l2, 14 being fixed thereto. A cutting edge 20 is fixed to and runs along the forward edge 22 of the bottom wall portion 12.

Spaced-apart reinforcement structures 24, 25 are provided for reinforcement purposes. As these structures 24, 25 are identical, only structure 24 will be described in detail. In that structure 24, spaced-apart rib members 26, 28 are fixed, as by welding, externally to the bottom wall portion 12. Such rib members 26, 28, it will be seen, run continuously from the cutting edge 20 to the rear of the bottom wall portion 12. The rib members 26, 28 flare apart at portions 30, 32, in the direction of the cutting edge 20, when proximate to the cutting edge 20. Brace members 34, 36 are disposed outwardly of the rib members 26 and 28 respectively. Such brace members 34, 36 are fixed to the cutting edge 20 by welding, and the brace members 34, 36 are fixed by welding to the flared portions 30, 32 of the rib members 26 and 28 respectively. In such manner, the rib members 26, 28 are fixed relative to the cutting edge 20, and it should be noted that such relative fixing is inward of the ends 38, 40 of the cutting edge 20.

A rib member 42 is fixed to the bottom wall portion 12 externally thereof intermediate the rib members 30, 32, and runs transversely of the cutting edge 20. Rib members 44, 46, run continuously along and are fixed externally to the bottom wall portion 12 outwardly of the rib members 30, 32 respectively. A rib member 48 I runs between the rib members 26, 28 generally parallel to the cutting edge 20, and is externally fixed to the bottom wall portion 12.

A plate 50 is fixed to the extending edges of the rib members 26, 28, 42, 44, 46, 48, and runs therealong. The plate 50 is also fixed by welding to the cutting edge 20, the plate 50 and rib members 26, 28, 42, 44, 46, 48 together with wall portion 12 form a box section 52 running transversely of the cutting edge 20. The crosssection of such box section 52 is shown in FIG. 3. It is to be pointed out that the box section 52 decreases in height as it approaches the cutting edge 20 (FIG. I). It has been found that this particular configuration of box section 52 provides an extremely rigid structure.

The rib members 26, 28 extend rearwardly of the bottom wall portion 12 to define a pair of spaced, coaxial apertures 54, 56. The axis 58 of such apertures 54, 56 is generally parallel to the cutting edge 20. The rib members 26, 28, from there, extend upwardly along the rear wall portion 14 to define a second pair of spaced coaxial apertures, as shown at 60, the axis 62 of which is generally parallel to the cutting edge 20.

.These apertures, along with like apertures associated with structure 25, provide means for attaching the bucket to a loader linkage (not shown).

Wear plate 63 and corner portion 65 are associated with end wall 16, as shown in FIG. 1. End wall 18 has similar structure associated therewith.

In addition, the reinforcement structure 24 further includes a heel plate 66 fixed to the plate 50, adjacent the apertures 54, 56. An angle member 68 is fixed to the rear wall portion 14 externally thereof and running therealong, generally parallel to the cutting edge between end walls 16, 18.

By providing external box structures which support the cutting edge 20 intermediate its ends 38, 40, the stresses in the bucket shell (including bottom wall portion 12, rear wall portion 14, and end wall portion 16, and particularly the corners thereof), are drastically reduced, so that thinner plates can be utilized in the bucket construction. In fact, it has been found that, while the weight of the inventive construction herein is less than that of conventional bucket constructions, the overall strength of the inventive construction is greater. Consequently, the resulting bucket construction is quite efficient for use, meanwhile being extremely simple and economical in design.

What is claimed is:

1. In a bucket construction having a bottom wall portion, a rear wall portion extending therefrom, a pair of end wall portions between which the rear wall and bottom wall portions extend, and a cutting edge fixed to and running along the forward edge of the bottom wall portion, reinforcement means comprising: first and second rib members spaced apart and fixed externally to the bottom wall portion and running continuously from the cutting edge, and fixed relative thereto, to the rear of the bottom wall portion; and, a plate fixed to the extending edges of the first and second rib members and running therealong, the rib members and plates together forming a box section running transversely of the cutting edge, wherein the plate is fixed to the cutting edge, wherein the reinforcement means further comprise a third rib member fixed to the bottom wall portion externally thereof intermediate the first and second rib members and running transversely of the cutting edge, the plate being fixed to the extending edge of the third rib member, and, wherein the first and second rib members flare apart in the direction of the cutting edge when proximate to the cutting edge.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the first and second rib members extend rearwardly of the bottom wall portion to define a pair of spaced coaxial apertures the axis of which is generally parallel to the cutting edge.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein the first and second rib members further extend upwardly along the rear wall portion to define a second pair of spaced coaxial apertures the axis of which is generally parallel to the cutting edge.

4. In a bucket construction having a bottom wall portion, a rear wall portion extending therefrom, a pair of side wall portions between which the rear wall and bottom wall portions extend, and a cutting edge fixed to and running along the forward edge of the bottom wall portion, a pair of spaced-apart reinforcement struc tures, each comprising:

a. first and second rib members spaced apart and fixed externally to the bottom wall portion, and fixed relative to the cutting edge inwardly of the ends of the cutting edge, running continuously therefrom to the rear of the bottom wall portion, said first and second rib members flaring apart in the direction of the cutting edge when proximate to the cutting edge;

b. a third rib member fixed to the bottom wall portion externally thereof intermediate the first and second rib members and running transversely of the cutting edge;

e. fourth and fifth rib members running continuously along and externally fixed to the bottom wall portion outwardly of the first and second rib members respectively; and,

d. a plate fixed to the extending edges of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth rib members and running therealong, and fixed to the cutting edge, the plate and first, second, third, fourth, and fifth rib members together forming a box section running transversely of the cutting edge.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein each reinforcement structure further comprises a sixth rib member running generally parallel to the cutting edge between the first and second rib members, and between and fixed to the bottom wall portion and the plate.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein the first and second rib members extend rearwardly of the bottom wall portion to define a pair of spaced coaxial apertures the axis of which is generally parallel to the cutting edge.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein the first and second rib members further extend upwardly along the rear wall portion to define a second pair of spaced coaxial apertures the axis of which is generally parallel to the cutting edge.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein each reinforcement structure further comprises first and second brace members disposed outwardly of the first and second rib members, fixed to the cutting edge, the first and second brace members being fixed to the flared portions of the first and second rib members respectively.

11. The combination of claim 10 further comprising an angle member fixed to the rear wall portion externally thereof and running therealong generally parallel to the cutting edge. 

1. In a bucket construction having a bottom wall portion, a rear wall portion extending therefrom, a pair of end wall portions between which the rear wall and bottom wall portions extend, and a cutting edge fixed to and running along the forward edge of the bottom wall portion, reinforcement means comprising: first and second rib members spaced apart and fixed externally to the bottom wall portion and running continuously from the cutting edge, and fixed relative thereto, to the rear of the bottom wall portion; and, a plate fixed to the extending edges of the first and second rib members and running therealong, the rib members and plates together forming a box section running transversely of the cutting edge, wherein the plate is fixed to the cutting edge, wherein the reinforcement means further comprise a third rib member fixed to the bottom wall portion externally thereof intermediate the first and second rib members and running transversely of the cutting edge, the plate being fixed to the extending edge of the third rib member, and, wherein the first and second rib members flare apart in the direction of the cutting edge when proximate to the cutting edge.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the first and second rib members extend rearwardly of the bottom wall portion to define a pair of spaced coaxial apertures the axis of which is generally parallel to the cutting edge.
 3. The combination of claim 2 wherein the first and second rib members further extend upwardly along the rear wall portion to define a second pair of spaced coaxial apertures the axis of which is generally parallel to the cutting edge.
 4. In a bucket construction having a bottom wall portion, a rear wall portion extending therefrom, a pair of side wall portions between which the rear wall and bottom wall portions extend, and a cutting edge fixed to and running along the forward edge of the bottom wall portion, a pair of spaced-apart reinforcement structures, each comprising: a. first and second rib members spaced apart and fixed externally to the bottom wall portion, and fixed relative to the cutting edge inwardly of the ends of the cutting edge, running continuously therefrom to the rear of the bottom wall portion, said first and second rib members flaring apart in the direction of the cutting edge when proximate to the cutting edge; b. a third rib member fixed to the bottom wall portion externally thereof intermediate the first and second rib members and running transversely of the cutting edge; c. fourth and fifth rib members running continuously along and externally fixed to the bottom wall portion outwardly of the first and second rib members respectively; and, d. a plate fixed to the extending edges of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth rib members and running therealong, and fixed to the cutting edge, the plate and first, second, third, fourth, and fifth rib members together forming a box section running transversely of the cutting edge.
 5. The combination of claim 4 wherein each reinforcement structure further comprises a sixth rib member running generally parallel to the cutting edge between the first and second rib members, and between and fixed to the bottom wall portion and the plate.
 6. The combination of claim 5 wherein the first and second rib members extend rearwardly of the bottom wall portion to define a pair of spaced coaxial apertures the axis of which is generally parallel to the cutting edge.
 7. The combination of claim 6 wherein the first and second rib members further extend upwardly along the rear wall portion to define a second pair of spaced coaxial apertures the axis of which is generally parallel to the cutting edge.
 8. The combination of claim 7 wherein each reinforcement structure further comprises first and second brace members disposed outwardly of the first and second rib members, fixed to the cutting edge, the first and second brace members being fixed to the flared portions of the first and second rib members respectively.
 9. The combination of claim 8 wherein the box section decreases in height as it approaches the cutting edge.
 10. The combination of claim 9 wherein each reinforcement structure further comprises a heel plate fixed to the first-mentioned plate adjacent the first-mentioned pair of spaced coaxial apertures.
 11. The combination of claim 10 further comprising an angle member fixed to the rear wall portion externally thereof and running therealong generally parallel to the cutting edge. 